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DDA planning future projects in Gladstone

GLADSTONE — Infrastructure projects and the future of city improvements have been a hot topic in the city of Gladstone, as construction continues on the 9th Street and 4th Street projects. However, the city and the Gladstone Downtown Development Authority are already planning the next big things to happen in Gladstone.

During Monday’s regular city commission meeting, the city held the second public hearing on a proposed amendment to the DDA’s ordinance. The amendment extends the timeline for the DDA’s operations out to 2041 and updates authority’s plan by changing project goals and setting timelines for project completion.

The plan — which was created by a 10n-person citizen council and reviewed by the DDA before being recommended to the commission for approval — does not change any of the DDA district’s boundaries. Instead, it includes a variety of cosmetic and service upgrades for residents and visitors to the city.

Some of the projects included in the plan are upgrades at city’s water treatment plant, the installation of electric car charging stations on Delta Avenue, harbor dock improvements, expansion of the city’s campground, and reconstruction of streets at various locations throughout the DDA district. The plan also includes estimated costs and timelines for each of the projects and a projection of potential tax capture to fund the DDA through 2040.

In total, the plan includes more than $60 million over the next 20 years for improvements in the DDA district, as well as business and development support. However, because funding is fluid and the costs are only estimates, the actual cost of any completed projects could differ substantially from the plan’s projections.

Monday’s meeting was the second public hearing for the ordinance amendment and plan, which will be be considered at a special meeting set for Sept. 8 at 6 p.m. The commission will also review a payment in lieu of taxes (PILT) ordinance for the housing commission during the special meeting.

While it is difficult to know which of the DDA’s planned projects will garner the most public support, not all of the city’s ongoing projects have been well received. During Monday’s city commission meeting, the commission heard from residents who were unhappy with the city’s 9th Street and 4th Street projects. Residents said they felt they were not property notified of the special assessment taxes they would now be responsible for paying, that the assessments themselves were unfair, or that the construction crews were hindering business and risking damage to personal property.

“(We’ve gotten) lots of phone calls and emails regarding construction on 4th Street and 9th Street,” said City Manager Eric Buckman after hearing from affected residents.

Commissioners pointed out the process for both project included the setting of special assessment districts and the determination of the assessment values. Because both parts of the special assessment process required two meetings, commissioners explained there were actually four public meetings per project during which residents could raise their concerns, in addition to the mailed notices and the notices published in the newspaper.

Still, Mayor Joe Thompson suggested residents sign up for the “Documents on Demand” emails through the city’s website, which sends copies of agenda packets and minutes to anyone who has subscribed. To suscribe, visit www.gladstonemi.org, click on “Agendas & Minutes,” and then click “Email Notifications” on the following page.

“It’s kind of a nice tool. I’ve signed up for them even though I get them the other way, but I did sign up. They come to my personal email address — they will forever, unless somebody changes something. It’s a good way to keep up with what’s going on,” he said.

Also during Monday’s meeting, the commission held a closed session evaluation for the city assessor and discussed delegates for the upcoming Michigan Municipal League annual meeting, which will be held virtually. A planned evaluation for the city clerk was tabled until Sept. 28.

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